Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, gradually restricts the shoulder's range of motion, causing pain and stiffness. Left untreated, it can persist for months or even years, making simple tasks like mousing on your computer, brushing your teeth, or lifting your child significant challenges.
For those who experience frozen shoulder, routines tend to suffer, so it’s important to understand the condition and what you can do to safely and effectively relieve it.
This post explores frozen shoulder, covering its causes, symptoms, and how chiropractic care and targeted exercises can address the condition at its core.
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder occurs when the ligaments within the shoulder joint capsule become inflamed. The capsule, which holds the shoulder bones together, thickens and tightens, limiting proper movement and causing a number of unwanted symptoms.
There are generally three stages of frozen shoulder, each with varied timeframes and severities based on your unique injury.
The three stages of frozen shoulder include:
- Freezing that lasts from six weeks to nine months: Shoulder pain slowly increases, and the shoulder loses motion
- Frozen that lasts from four to 12 months: Pain starts to slowly improve, but the shoulder remains stiff
- Thawing that lasts from five to 26 months: Shoulder motion slowly returns to normal function
Common symptoms of frozen shoulder include:
- Gradual shoulder pain that worsens over time
- Stiffness and restricted range of motion
- Nighttime pain that disrupts sleep
- Difficulty with everyday tasks like fastening a seatbelt or getting dressed
- Aching in the outer shoulder and upper arm (not typically past the elbow)
- Weakness from limited use
If you notice these symptoms, seeking early treatment can minimize pain and prevent chronic issues. You should always listen to your body and seek help when showing adverse symptoms, as pain is how the body communicates that something is wrong.
Who Gets Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder can affect anyone, but it is more prevalent in individuals who frequently strain their shoulders or experience trauma, as the condition arises when the soft tissue around the shoulder joint thickens, swells, and tightens.
Common causes of frozen shoulder include:
- Overuse from sports, jobs, exercise, or hobbies
- An extended period of immobilization, such as after surgery or injury
- Traumatic incidents like falls or car accidents
- Chronic conditions, including rotator cuff injuries
- Natural wear and tear with aging
- Osteoarthritis or other degenerative conditions
Understanding the cause of your frozen shoulder is key to developing an effective treatment plan.
Work with Our Bay City Chiropractor for Responsible & Effective Frozen Shoulder Treatment
If you’re struggling with shoulder pain, our experienced Bay City chiropractors offer safe, natural, and noninvasive solutions to restore comfort and mobility.
We focus on targeted chiropractic services that enhance the affected shoulder’s range of motion, reduce pain, and improve quality of life without surgery or medication. Our approach includes personalized assessments and treatment plans designed to strengthen and heal the shoulder naturally.
Chiropractic services and therapies we use to treat frozen shoulder include:
- Chiropractic adjustments: align the shoulder and spine for better function
- McKenzie Method: improves posture and mobility through targeted exercises
- Active Release Technique (ART): breaks down scar tissue and promotes flexibility
- Laser therapy: reduces inflammation and accelerates healing
- Massage therapy: relieves muscle tension and improves blood flow
- Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM): loosens tight tissue and restores motion
- Therapeutic exercises: strengthens muscles and enhances flexibility
Lifestyle guidance: helps prevent future injury through ergonomic, exercise, and activity adjustments
Start Your Recovery Journey Today
Don’t let frozen shoulder keep you from living your life fully. Our chiropractic team is here to help you regain strength, mobility, and comfort through expert care and personalized treatment.
Take the first step toward recovery today—contact our Bay City chiropractic clinic. Relief is closer than you think.